Dewdney Trail (Christina Lk - Santa Rosa) (Christina Lake)

Site Description: This trail is an historic trail constructed starting in 1865 by Edgar Dewdney. Dewdney was a young surveyor who was commissioned by Governor James Douglas to develop a trail from Hope, B.C. east 590 km to gold fields in the East Kootenays near Fort Steel. The Dewdney Trail was the main route through this area until the Cascade Highway (now known as the Santa Rosa Road) replaced it in the 1920's. Boundary Forest District manages a 15 km section of this trail that runs from the town of Christina Lake to the Santa Rosa Summit. From here the trail extends another 24 km to near Rossland. The section of trail in the Boundary District is crossed by the Santa Rosa Road (old Cascade Highway) in two locations and follows the road for a short distance at 9.7 km (trail distance). The trail is also dissected by and follows power transmission line corridors in several places. The trail can be a little tricky to find here, but is well marked for the most part.

Driving Directions: Start at the bridge on Highway 3 in the town of Christina Lake and head northeast for 0.2 km to the Santa Rosa Road. Turn right onto this good gravel road and follow it for 1.4 km to a large pullout on the left side of the road just before a steep switchback. Park here, and proceed up and across the road to the steep switchback. Climb over the cement barrier and down the bank to the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway grade. Proceed south along the railway grade a few metres until you cross a small creek. Look on your left for the unmarked trailhead just after the creek (south bank). The trail also crosses the Santa Rosa Road at 3.7 km, 9.5 km, and 14.5 km (road distance). Any of these crossings could be used as access points. All crossings are marked with white and green Dewdney Trail signs. Another possible access point is located on a side road that crosses the trail. To find this access drive approximately 7.0 km up the Santa Rosa Road, and look for a side road on the left. Turn up this road and follow it for approximately 2.0 km, following the most used route. Look here for a brown and white sign marking the trail crossing.